APIONEERING initiative to look at ways in which to improve stroke prevention care in County Durham has won national recognition.
Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group (DDES CCG) was presented with a Personalisation of Care Award at the finals of the Patient Experience Network National Awards for their work in reviewing changes to the current provision of helping families and ‘vulnerable patients’ to reduce their risk of suffering a stroke.
In County Durham premature death rates from stroke are higher than the national average, accounting for 8.5 per cent of deaths in all age groups.
The innovative project includes a screening programme that focuses on high risk people, a network of support groups and volunteers for people already suffering from conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and cardio-vascular disease, an exercise programme for people at risk of suffering a stroke, and increased information on stroke symptoms for pharmacists, GP’s receptionists and A&E staff.
The work was supported by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceutical and social business Georgina Craig Associates.
“Over the last year, DDES has been working in close partnership with more than 140 local stakeholders – including the voluntary sector, local people and carers – to design and develop our stroke prevention commissioning strategy,” said Victoria Reed, DDES Project Lead for Clinical Commissioning.
“We learnt a huge deal by listening to patients and frontline professionals describe their current and desired experience of stroke prevention care and have now set up an implementation team to support and develop these findings over the next three years.
“It was incredible to receive the Personalisation of Care Award as a validation of all our hard work, but our ultimate aim and the success of the project will be to see fewer people suffering from strokes and for them to be more educated about the lifestyle changes needed to reduce the risks.”
The Stroke Association is a leading charity which campaigns for improvements in care; supports people to make the best recovery they can and funds research to come up with new treatments and ways of preventing strokes.
For more information, ring the Helpline on 0303 3033100 or log on to www.stroke.org.uk
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